NAYDO eDEVELOPMENTS
May 2025 News from North American YMCA Development Organization
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Message from the NAYDO Chair
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Dear NAYDO Members,
As I step into my role as NAYDO Chair, I want to emphasize our commitment to building a welcoming and supportive community where everyone feels that they belong. This is at the heart of both NAYDO and the YMCA—a guiding principle that strengthens the very foundation of philanthropy.
To continue fostering meaningful connections across North America, I’m excited to share that the NAYDO Council voted in April to allow Canadian associations to pay their 2025-2026 membership dues in Canadian dollars. Likewise, Canadian members will be able to pay their conference fees the same way, ensuring fairness for all. It’s a small but important step in creating the best possible experience for all our members.
NAYDO is here to support you as you build relationships, strengthen engagement, and make a lasting impact in your community. This is a space where you can share ideas, engage in thoughtful conversations, and explore new ways to create welcoming environments for all in philanthropy. The journey to fostering a sense of belonging is ongoing—and it’s something we accomplish together, not alone.
Looking for ways to get involved? Here are some great opportunities to get started:
• Share your insights on webinars, network calls, and other activities
• Collaborate with a Y different from yours to co-present a webinar or conference workshop
• Connect with peers through a NAYDO Network
• Get involved with the 2026 conference committee—sign up in May, planning kicks off in June, and there are plenty of ways to contribute before we head to Long Beach, California
• Encourage your staff and volunteers to engage with NAYDO and make the most of your membership benefits!
We’re in this together, and together we are NAYDO Strong!
With appreciation,
NAYDO Chair Pam Hearn, CFRE
CDO, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
UPCOMING NAYDO WEBINARS
May 15, 1:30-2:30 pm Central
Jumpstarting Your YMCA’s Endowment Program
Facilitators: YMCA Alumni David Snow, Senior Consultant, and Jeff Jowdy, President of Lighthouse Counsel
Building a strong endowment is essential for the long-term financial sustainability of your YMCA. Yet, many YMCAs struggle with where to begin or how to grow their legacy giving efforts. Learn practical strategies to jumpstart your endowment program and integrate planned giving into your development efforts.
Join us for an insightful discussion featuring a case study and staff from the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. They will share actionable steps to help your Y secure legacy gifts and endowment support.
>> Register
June 19, 1:30-2:30 pm Central
Fundraising Foundations for CEOs, Executive Directors, GMs, and Camp Directors
Presenter: Larissa Stoddart,
Growth & Co.
Need to learn how to support your fundraising staff, and not sure where to start?
By the end of this webinar, CEOs, Executive Directors, GMs, and Camp Directors will be able to rest assured knowing the correct fundraising tasks are being completed by their fundraising staff at the right time in the right way. This will result in donors having positive experiences without the senior leader needing to commit significantly more time to fundraising operations.
>> Register
The NAYDO website calendar lists upcoming webinars and network events.
NAYDO NETWORK EVENTS
Volunteers in Philanthropy Network
Tuesday, May 13, 1 pm Central
Building a World Class YMCA Gala - It's more than just the money!
Presenter: Brent Finlay, President & CEO, Anaheim Family YMCA
If you're a Y volunteer or board member (or if you work closely with your association’s volunteers), please join us to learn how you can play an integral role in helping to plan, promote, and execute a winning gala. These tools and tactics can be used to implement any Y special event. If your association puts on golf tournaments, holiday parties, runs/walks, or any other fundraisers, you won't want to miss this!
>> Register
Network Sponsor:
American City Bureau
DEI in Philanthropy Network
Thursday, May 15, 11 am Central
Unconscious Bias in Grant making - Recognizing and Reducing Bias to Promote Equity
Presenter: Brenda Crespo - Director of Grants, Greater Somerset County YMCA
This session will explore the concept of unconscious bias within the philanthropic sector, with a focus on its influence in grantmaking. Participants will learn how to define unconscious bias in a philanthropic context, identify and recognize where and how it may appear in grant-making processes, and explore strategies to mitigate bias and promote equity in funding decisions.
>> Register
Network Sponsor:
Impact Parks
2026 NAYDO CONFERENCE NEWS
Plan now to attend NAYDO 2026 in Long Beach!
Hotel Reservations OPEN for 2026
Here are the hotels with NAYDO room blocks. The conference site is the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. Everyone will be walking once again this year but not far. When you enter the Convention Center, you step right into NAYDO's meeting space from one end the Hyatt and the other end the Marriott Downtown and Westin(also a Marriott property).
If you want to reserve 5 or more rooms and do not know the names at this time, sub-blocks can be arranged under your Association Name at your choice of two NAYDO Hotels, the Hyatt Regency or the Westin Long Beach. Email info@naydo.org to request the sub-block form or call NAYDO Office, 504 858 3379, if you have questions.
Conference registration starts September 29 along with the financial assistance application process.
2026 Call for Workshop Presentations
Have an idea for a workshop? The Call for Presentations is open. Submission deadline is May 22. While philanthropy is on your mind, submit a proposal. If you have a topic you would really like to see offered, please reply to the NAYDO Office with that suggestion.
2025 NAYDO CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
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The NAYDO 2025 Conference is history, but you can still experience it! With almost 1,900 in attendance, the 44th Annual NAYDO Conference on YMCA Philanthropy ranked as the 3rd largest in NAYDO history. We know not all of our Members could make the trip to St. Louis, so here are a few ways to experience the highlights. Thursday General Session Keynote John O’Leary inspired us with a message that changed the direction of his own life, "Say yes to being used for good." His book captures his uplifting approach to the times in which we live, providing hope for the future and confirmation of how the work we do every day contributes to that for communities. Our supply of complimentary copies ran out but here is the link to purchase "In Awe." Watch for the movie of his story "Soul on Fire" in theaters October 10, 2025. Friday’s General Session featured a Mission Moment by YMCA Ukraine, with an in-person thank you for the funds raised by NAYDO 2022 Conference attendees. Watch the special message in this video. Workshops were audio recorded and will be available in June on NAYDO website. Watch for an announcement when they are ready, and you won’t feel like you missed a thing. |
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2025 NAYDO EAGLE AWARDS |
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Congratulations to the 2025 Eagle Award winners! The Eagle Award is presented to YMCA Associations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in YMCA philanthropy. There is no higher honor for YMCAs than to be recognized for excellence by your peers. Judges look at long-term philanthropic success and growth, not just a one-year snapshot. Nominees are evaluated on 12 criteria over five years. They are grouped by budget size to recognize the differences in resources that Ys can commit to fundraising. YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg |
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eDevelopments Disclaimer Unless they are NAYDO members, sponsors or exhibitors, the websites, consultants, and other resources cited in these articles and links are not endorsed by NAYDO. The information is provided as food for thought only!
